The time for pre-Ashes talk and selection speculation is nearly done after the Australian team announced a 15-player team to confront England in the Perth Test. The expanded lineup for the first match points to the necessity for composed minds during the intense battle, with Jake Weatherald named for the debut replacing explosive opener Sam Konstas.
Yet with the batsman finding form and the remaining inexperienced players being two pace backups, there is a recognizable feel to the squad even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Here is how each member (listed in A-Z sequence) will confront the aggressive bravado, with a rating out of five reflecting their possible effect on the campaign beginning on 21 November.
First. Sean Abbott
The seasoned fast bowler is once again relied upon as a substitute after being a regular presence in the limited-overs sides in recent years. With the captain's comeback still unclear, and the remaining key attackers dealing with a gruelling fixture list, the veteran will aim to continue his recent success to remain in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆
Second. Scott Boland
The fourth best seamer in the team has emerged as a focus for England for his unflattering performances during the previous series as much as for his calm personality off the pitch. Yet the 36-year-old has claimed a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his last Test against West Indies – and has being a threat at the top level and should seize the rare chance to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆
Third. Alex Carey
The main wicketkeeper is back in the intense cauldron of an battle hoping to make his mark with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a unforgettable moment when stumping Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a far more assured batsman whether required to score quickly or help steer the tail with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆
4. Brendan Doggett
The state paceman has been on the fringes of the national team across recent matches and is returning after taking a solid haul – featuring eleven in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An international debut is currently attainable as Cummins is sidelined and the key fast bowlers get ready for a gruelling five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆
Fifth. Cameron Green
The highly-touted player had been earmarked for the national side from early in his journey despite fitness issues, and the time has come for him to deliver a major impact to a pivotal series. The 26-year-old was the best of the batting players while batting at first drop in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but could be preferred in the order to ensure he can also assist the pace attack. If Green can feasibly be selected as a true bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to deliver more spells during the series, could be decided in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆
6. Josh Hazlewood
The consistent fast bowler is at the height of his abilities following leading the limited-overs attack and preparing for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s consistent discipline, and hint of movement whether off the seam or swing, is certain to Test the tourists’ aggressive method to batting, with the persistent concern if he can play four or perhaps as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆
7. Travis Head
The explosive batter is vital to Australia’s hopes of seizing the initiative up to England with his aggressive intent and propensity to hit big runs as the pressure rise. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the same the previous occasion England visited for five Tests highlight his skills, while the 31-year-old has a ability of taking a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★
Eighth. Josh Inglis
The second keeper in the squad demonstrated that he should also be viewed as a specialist batsman when pummelling a hundred at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most comfortable batting in the middle-order although he has shown while captaining the team in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which could suit a consistent position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆
9. Usman Khawaja
The seasoned keeps hanging on even amid calls for a changing of the guard at the top of the order following strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent earlier this year. But following being one of many batters unable to handle India’s the paceman last summer, the veteran requires a positive beginning against England’s fast-bowling attack in what could be his farewell campaign to make sure he can make the call personally on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆
10. Marnus Labuschagne
The ex top-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal form and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to earn his place back into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne exceptional performance with five hundreds in his recent knocks could give the team management the confidence to back him to open if required with the opener, although the 31-year-old is more likely to worry England when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆
Eleventh. Nathan Lyon
The off-spinner was as notable for his absence as his dismissal efforts after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped change the contest when Australia toured the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against India with only nine wickets previously but recovered to be vital to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆
12. Steve Smith (captain)
The Australia batting great will step in to captain the team until C
